MENDHAR, Apr 18: The army suffered two fatal casualties as its two soldiers were shot dead in sniper fire from Pakistan in last 24 hours on two forward Indian posts in different sectors along the Line of Control in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district.

However, the army has not confirmed it as the sniper fire and said that the soldiers died in accidental fire.

The fatal casualties occurred following the reports of “killing of three Pakistan soldiers and injuries to eight others in retaliatory fire by Indian army to unprovoked heavy firing from Pakistan side targeting civilian areas and forward Indian posts in Nowshera sector on Monday.”

As per the reports from Mendhar, Sepoy Ravinder Singh (Belt No 2512397 H) of 21 Punjab was killed in sniper fire on forward Indian post Dhamu in Mendhar sector this evening around 6.30 PM. The soldier hailed from Punjab.

Earlier Monday evening at around 11.45 PM, Sepoy Manmohan Budhani (Belt No 408639M) of 20 Kumaon died in Pak sniper fire on Indian forward post Roshni, which is ahead of fence, in Balnoi sector in Mendhar tehsil.

Sources said that Budhani who was posted at Roshni post observed some suspicious movement near the post. As he alerted the fellow troops, he was killed in sniper from Pakistan.

Budhani hailed from Awlakote villege of Kotabagh area of tehsil Kaladuggi in Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

The deceased soldier was hit on his right shoulder while he was moving from his bunker to the communication trench of his forward post in Mendhar sector.

The jawans were directed for 'stand to' by the post commander Sub Balam Singh.

He was alerted by the sentry after he had noticed some suspicious movement near his post around 9.50 PM. The bullet injury had penetrated his lungs and vital organs. He was declared dead by the Regimental Medical officer deployed at Balnoi base.

FIR in this case was lodged with the Mendhar police station to carry out detailed investigation in the case.

However, the defense spokesperson had denied that there was any firing from the Pakistani side on Monday.

“There had been no ceasefire violation from Pakistan. It was one casualty due to accidental discharge,” the spokesperson had stated after Budhani’s killing.

The spokesperson however had stated that there were incidents of firing from opposite side in Nowshera sector of the de facto border in Rajouri district on Monday.

SRINAGAR, Apr 18: In view of mass protests carried out by the students of degree colleges across Kashmir valley on Monday, all colleges, universities and higher secondary schools in the valley remained closed on Tuesday.
The administration on Monday had directed the closure of the universities, colleges and higher secondary schools in the valley after massive protests by students from colleges rocked Kashmir valley.
The protests were triggered due to brutal assault on students of Degree Colle